Bridgespan & NTEN Release AI Strategy Framework for Nonprofits

Here's the uncomfortable truth: 70% of nonprofit leaders think their organizations are missing AI opportunities. But only 8% have actually done the work to chart a path forward. That gap between "we should be doing this" and "here's how we're doing it" is where most nonprofits get stuck.

The good news? Two respected research organizations have released a practical framework designed to close that gap. Rather than forcing AI adoption on every organization, it helps leaders make intentional choices about where AI actually strengthens their work, and where it doesn't.

If you've been sitting on the sidelines wondering whether AI is worth the investment for your nonprofit, this framework gives you a clear way to decide.

Details

Bridgespan Group and NTEN (the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network) released new research and tools to help nonprofit leaders make strategic decisions about artificial intelligence adoption.

What they released

The main report: Choosing Your AI Path: A Framework for Nonprofit Leaders to Make Strategic Choices

• Research showing what nonprofit leaders actually think about AI
• Three actionable areas where nonprofits can apply AI strategically
• Case studies from real organizations that have made these choices

The implementation guide: Choosing Your AI Path: Applying the Framework for Nonprofits

• Practical worksheets to help your organization work through the decisions
• Step-by-step guidance for assessing your situation
• Templates for planning next steps

Who's behind this?

Bridgespan Group is a well-known consulting firm focused on nonprofit strategy. NTEN brings deep expertise in how nonprofits use technology. Together, they interviewed leaders and gathered examples from organizations like the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Living Goods, and the Center for Employment Opportunities.

• Cost: Free
• Availability: Available now (download from Bridgespan's website)
• Time to review: 30 to 60 minutes for the framework overview; 2 to 3 hours if you work through the worksheets

Why this matters for your nonprofit

Most nonprofits approach AI in one of two ways: they either panic that they're falling behind or assume it's not relevant to their work. This framework gives you a third option: think strategically.

The real value here is that it shifts the conversation from "should we do AI?" to "where does AI help us do our mission better?" That's a completely different and much more useful question.

Real-world use cases

Executive directors. The framework provides a clear path for discussions with your board and leadership team. One key insight: strategic prioritization and phasing allow you to determine where and when to apply AI for maximum impact, ensuring your adoption strategy is intentional rather than rushed.

Program leaders. If you run direct services, the "Advance" section shows how AI can help you scale programs or improve outcomes without replacing human judgment. One example shows how organizations use AI to strengthen program evaluation.

Operations teams. The "Augment" section is directly for you. It covers how to reduce administrative burden (data entry, reporting, scheduling, donor research) so your team can focus on the work that matters. This is where most nonprofits see immediate wins.

What you'll need

To effectively utilize this framework and work through the assessment, your nonprofit will need to bring together a few key elements. Ensuring these prerequisites are in place will help you maximize the value of the implementation process.

• Leadership alignment: Gather key decision-makers, including executive leadership, program leads, and operations managers, to work through the assessment collaboratively.
• Implementation guide and worksheets: Download Choosing Your AI Path: Applying the Framework for Nonprofits from Bridgespan to guide your team through practical decision-making steps and templates.
• Time investment: Reserve about 30 minutes to read the overview framework, plus 2 to 3 hours to work through the assessment worksheets with your team.
• Honest self-assessment: Approach the exercises with an accurate understanding of your organization's real capacity, resources, and strategic priorities.

How to get started

1. Download the framework. Head to Bridgespan's website and grab Choosing Your AI Path: A Framework for Nonprofit Leaders to Make Strategic Choices. It's free and available immediately.
2. Read the overview (30 minutes). Skim the main findings and the three strategy areas: Augment, Advance, Advocate. Get a sense of what each means for your organization.
3. Identify your starting point. Does your organization have any AI initiatives underway? Is AI completely new? The framework works differently depending on where you're starting.
4. Gather your team. Invite your executive director, program leads, operations manager, and anyone else who would be affected by AI decisions. This framework is designed for group discussion, not solo decision-making.
5. (Optional) Download the worksheets. If you want to go deeper, grab the implementation guide and work through the assessment together. Budget 2 to 3 hours for this.

Pro tip: Focus on a single strategic area (Augment, Advance, or Advocate) that aligns best with your current priorities instead of tackling all three simultaneously.

The bottom line

The real problem isn't that nonprofits don't know AI exists. It's that most leaders feel unprepared to make strategic decisions about it. This framework changes that. It gives you permission to say "AI isn't right for us right now" and back it up with logic. Or it helps you identify the one area where AI could genuinely strengthen your work.

The gap between the 70% who think they're missing opportunities and the 8% with a roadmap isn't a knowledge gap. It's a decision-making gap. This framework closes it.

Next steps

• Download the free framework from Bridgespan
• Set aside 30 minutes this week to read it
• Plan a 60-minute conversation with your leadership team about what "Augment," "Advance," and "Advocate" mean for your nonprofit

Not every organization needs to become an AI organization. But every organization needs to decide what role AI plays in its work. This framework makes that decision clear.

References

• Bridgespan Group: Nonprofit strategy consulting
• NTEN: Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network
• Choosing Your AI Path: A Framework for Nonprofit Leaders to Make Strategic Choices: The main report
• Choosing Your AI Path: Applying the Framework for Nonprofits: Implementation guide with worksheets
• Turning AI opportunity into strategy: The announcement, September 10, 2026